If you received a summons for a lawsuit, you have 35 days to respond. After this time, you could lose the case by default judgment. To respond to a lawsuit summons, you need to complete the packet “How to File an Answer to a Complaint in Civil Court.” It includes the instructions and answer form.
Verified Complaints are generally not required, except when ex parte relief is sought or when required by a statute or rule regarding a specific cause of action. N.J.R.
The clerk shall furnish postage, envelopes, and return receiptsand shall address same. Mail service on each defendant shall be placed in separate envelopes by the clerk regardless of marital status or address. Process shall be mailed within 12 days of the filing of the complaint.
Settlement: At any time after the filing of the Complaint, the parties may engage in settlement discussions. A settlement occurs when the parties resolve their civil dispute, usually after negotiating among themselves rather than the court or a jury deciding the case.
Good practice requires a timely acknowledgement of a complaint. The experience of customers in other sectors shows that a response within two working days increases their confidence in a complaint handling process.
A: In New Jersey, the general rule is that you have 90 days from the date the summons was issued to serve the defendant. However, under certain circumstances, the court may extend this time frame if you can show good cause or if it's in the interest of justice.